"I knew Molokai was very special. Unlike the other Hawaiian Islands, there is very little tourism on it. It's for people who want to slow down and experience the old Hawaii and its culture," she told Business Insider.

While staying at the only operating hotel accommodations on the island at the time, she discovered the abandoned Kaluakoi Resort. Its skeletal exterior intrigued her.

"I love photographing abandoned places around the world whenever I can," she said.

Today, the resort is sitting on Molokai Ranch — a 55,575-acre property that's for sale for $260 million. The Ranch's current owner, the investment holding company GL Ltd., has run into numerous issues with the island's 7,000 locals while attempting to build various projects — including the Kaluakoi Resort — since the 1990s, reports Bloomberg.

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The Kaluakoi Resort originally opened in the 1970s, and passed through various owners.

"I had heard rumors there were a few old hotels," she said.

While exploring the grounds, Ott didn't venture up to the second floors. "Many of the stairs were broken and seemed unstable," she said.

Ott explored the property by herself. She said nearby the deserted hotel there were "beautifully manicured lawns and pristine condos that were exact replicas of the abandoned buildings." Because of this, "It’s a very unusual setting," she said.